British Army faces 20 new Iraq torture claims

New claims of torture and abuse of Iraqi civilians by British soldiers will be
made in 20 fresh cases being prepared by human rights lawyers in London, it
is reported.

Twenty fresh claims of torture follow the case of Baha Mousa whose family won a Government payoutPhoto: REUTERS

By Alastair Jamieson

10:20AM BST 01 Jul 2009

Among the new allegations is a claimed that a group of eight Iraqi men were "violently beaten" when a home was visited by British soldiers in August 2003.

The latest cases, which suggests ill-treatment of Iraqis after the invasion was more widespread than first thought, could lead to another Government pay-out for loss of life, personal injury and abuse.

The Ministry of Defence has already paid nearly £2.8 million to the family of Basra hotel worker Baha Mousa, 26, who was beaten to death by British soldiers in 2003, and nine other victims of abuse detained at the same time.

A report in The Independent newspaper, says the new cases are all being brought by the same human rights law firm, Public Interest Lawyers, who are acting for the family of Mr Mousa at a forthcoming judicial inquiry into his death.

Among the other new allegations is from a father who claims he was shot and lost his arm after a raid on their home. His son, who was also shot, subsequently died of his injuries and eight of his other sons were beaten, according to the lawyers.

In 2006 it is alleged that three more Iraqi civilians, held in separate incidents, were arrested and violently beaten.

The newspaper quoted a statement from Public Interest Lawyers saying: “In May of this year, lawyers from PIL travelled to Beirut to take witness statements from a number of other Iraqis who allege to have been ill-treated, arbitrarily detained and in some cases religiously humiliated and sexually abused by the British military.

"The cases documented span from the start of hostilities in March 2003 through to 2007 and it is understood that there are many more cases which are yet to be documented.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “Over 120,000 British troops have served in Iraq and the vast majority have conducted themselves to the highest standards of behaviour.

"All allegations of abuse are investigated thoroughly and where proven, those responsible are punished and the complainants compensated. Allegations must not be taken as fact and formal investigations must be allowed to take their course without judgements being made prematurely.”